SEPTEMBER 1

Daniel 1:1-3

ISRAEL IS TAKEN CAPTIVE

It was a very sad and tragic day when God’s people, the Jews, were captured by the Babylonians and carried to faraway Babylon. Babylon was about 900 km away from Israel. There were no trucks or trains in 605 B.C. You can imagine that as slaves, they had to walk all the way. Even Jehoiakim, king of Judah, was taken prisoner by the Babylonians.

This happened not because Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon was very great or more powerful than God. But it was God who delivered Israel into Nebuchadnezzar’s hands as just punishment, because Israel had disobeyed Him many times. God also allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take away some of the vessels in the Temple to the treasure house of his idol.

This happened as part of God’s covenant to Israel. If Israel obeys God, He will bless them. But if they disobey and turn away from Him, God will punish them. Our God is a Thrice Holy God and serious about punishment. Let us be careful how we live our lives. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31

God’s people as prisoners traveling from Judah to ______________________


Thought: The fear of God will keep us from sin.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You keep all Your promises to bless and to punish Your people. I pray that I may not take Your commands lightly. Help me to have godly fear and obey You always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Posted in Junior